Descriptions : p The consumer price index CPI measures the rate at which the prices of consumer goods and services are changing over time It is a key statistic for purposes of economic and social policy making especially monetary policy and social policy and has substantial and wide ranging implications for governments businesses and workers as well as households This important and comprehensive manual provides guidelines for statistical offices and other agencies responsible for constructing CPIs and explains in depth the methods that are used to calculate a CPI It also examines the underlying economic and statistical concepts and principles needed for making choices in efficient and cost effective ways and for appreciating the full implications of those choices The following international organizations concerned both with the measurement of inflation and with policies designed to control it have collaborated on the Consumer Price Index Manual Theory and practice the International Labour Organization the International Monetary Fund the Organisation for Economic and Co operation and Development the Statistical Office of the European Communities Eurostat the United Nations Economic Commission for Europe and the World Bank